A Director General of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Shamshad Akhtar, was shot dead by unidentified armed men in Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday, October 10. The Election Commission has described the incident as a targeted killing and urged the government to take effective measures to protect government employees from terrorist attacks.
District Police Officer Tank Abdul Samad Khan said the official had travelled to his ancestral village after the death of his brother and was attacked while receiving condolences at his residence. Police have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation, though no arrests have been reported so far and the motive behind the killing remains unknown.
Attack in ancestral village Garah Baloch
According to the district police, Shamshad Akhtar had gone to Garah Baloch, his ancestral village in Tank district, following the death of his brother. He was sitting at his residence receiving condolences from visitors when unidentified assailants opened fire on him as he stepped outside the house. He died on the spot.
Police cordoned off the crime scene and launched a search operation to trace the killers. The motive behind the killing and the identity of the assailants were not immediately known, police said. Investigators are examining the scene and recording statements from those present at the residence at the time of the attack.
ECP grief and official statement
The Election Commission of Pakistan issued a press release expressing profound grief and sorrow over the killing. The commission described the deceased as an honest, humble and dutiful officer who had no personal enmity with anyone, adding that the incident was a case of targeted killing.
The release said Shamshad Akhtar was highly respected among his colleagues and peers for his professional conduct and personal integrity. The Chief Election Commissioner, the members of the commission, the ECP secretary and all employees expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident and extended their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
The commission also prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased and the elevation of his ranks, and asked for patience and strength for the family. It called on the government to take effective measures to ensure the protection and security of all government employees against acts of terrorism.
Violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The killing comes amid persistent militant violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the southern districts including Tank, Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Dera Ismail Khan have emerged as major security hotspots this year. Provincial police have repeatedly sought federal support to strengthen police stations and security infrastructure in the affected areas.
The security situation in the province remains under sharp focus as the federal cabinet discusses emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with Islamabad weighing administrative options for the province. Authorities have not said whether the Tank attack is linked to the broader wave of militant activity in the region.
What happens next
The district police have intensified their search operation and are questioning local residents to identify the attackers. No group has claimed responsibility for the killing so far. The Election Commission has said it stands with the bereaved family and expects the government to act on its demand for better protection of public servants.
Further details, including the findings of the police investigation and any official response from the provincial government, are awaited. For continued updates, follow Pakistan’s national news coverage, which also tracks Pakistan’s condemnation of the Houthi attack on Riyadh airport and other developing stories. Amid the tense political climate, the USD to PKR exchange rate today remains a key indicator for markets watching the situation.
